[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 15]
[House]
[Page 20175]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUEES IN THE DREAM CENTER

  (Ms. SOLIS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, over the weekend I visited the Dream Center 
in Los Angeles, California, which is currently housing over 250 
evacuees of Hurricane Katrina. The Dream Center has committed to 
feeding, housing and clothing these evacuees. The stories that I heard 
from them are gut wrenching. I met a woman who escaped with her two 
nephews and her 80-year-old mother, Sheila Bell.
  I also visited with a father who was caring for his youngster who is 
1 year old. But Mrs. Bell, unfortunately, was separated from her 
daughters. Her daughters are somewhere in Texas. She cannot find them. 
She wants to hear from them. And I want to also applaud the firemen and 
the first responders who risked their own lives to help those in need 
to leave the center.
  Mrs. Bell recounted that the water level in her house came up to her 
neck. But there are many stories like hers. And one of the things that 
I have to bring forward is the fact that FEMA made a promise to give 
these evacuees assistance.
  Now, it is 2 weeks, the assistance is not there. Political hacks have 
pushed aside the professionals out of FEMA. Since this President took 
office, 4.1 million people have slipped into poverty. The poor and 
underserved of the Gulf are the hardest hit. They are the ones that 
need our help.
  Let us move forward and help those that need our assistance now.

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